Sahil Razvi/New Delhi

In the heart of Bihar's Nalanda district lay Gilani, a village that embodies deep-seated communal harmony as part of tradition. People belonging to all the communities proudly add ‘Gilani’ or ‘Jilani’ to their names in reverence to Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani, a Sufi saint of Gilan, Iran.

Both Hindus and Muslims use this surname and it’s a strong symbol of their identity.

In Arabic, the letter "G" does not exist, so people refer to him as "Jilani." For this reason, the village's full name is Mohiuddinpur Gilani.

Gilani is derived from the saints of Gilan, Iraq (where Ghaus-e-Azam, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani was born). These saints migrated from Gilan to India and settled here, and they imparted their preached teachings of Islam.

This name became a part of the village. The preaching of Hazrat Abdul Qadir Gilani spread across the Indian subcontinent. As his teachings were based on love, compassion andhumility he got followers from different sections of society. Some of his early followers migrated to India and gradually settled in Mohiuddinpur Gilani. They adopted the surname 'Gilani' as their identity, which has now become the identity of the village.

Mosque, Gilani Village

According to Bihar-based Sufi scholar Syed Amjad Hussain, "The original name of Gilani was derived from the titles of Hazrat Abdul Qadir Gilani,  Over time, however, it became popularly known as Gilani. This village is the birthplace of Deobandi scholar Maulana Manazir Ahsan Gilani, and it was once home to many descendants of Sufi saint and warrior Hazrat Syed Ahmed Jajneri, a descendant of Hazrat Abul Farah Wasti.

Today, the village has a temple, a mosque, and a madrasa, all of which exist in peace and harmony. Remarkably, no incidents of communal violence have been recorded in Gilani, a testament to its harmonious spirit.

Shahnawaz Anwar, a teacher at Madrasa Islamia, Gilani, shared that the village was once home to notable personalities like Manazir Ahsan Gilani and M.M. Gilani. However, today, the village primarily houses people from poorer and lower-income backgrounds, as most prominent families have left the village.

Despite Manazir Ahsan Gilani being from here, Islamic education hasn't reached the village.

When villagers travel to Hyderabad, they identify themselves as being from Manazir Ahsan Gilani's village, as he was a renowned figure there.

Haji Wajihuddin Gilani played a significant role in establishing Madrasa Islamia, Gilani, in the village.

Gilani’s estimated 5,000 residents are Muslims, Paswan, Koiri, Yadav, Nai, Ravidas, Kahar, Kumhar, and Pandits among Hindu groups.

Each community proudly incorporates "Gilani" as a surname, emphasizing a collective heritage. This shared practice has woven a deep sense of unity, transcending individual religious or social identities.

Madrasa Islamia, Gilani, Nalanda

PradeepGilani, a Hindu resident, shared his experience, saying, “Our family has been in this village since Independence. Hindus and Muslims here live with love and mutual respect, celebrating all festivals together. Since childhood, I’ve seen villagers using 'Gilani' as their surname. Outsiders are often surprised by this, but for us, this surname is a cherished part of our heritage, and we use it with pride.”

Life in Gilani is a perfect blend of cultural and religious practices. Festivals are celebrated with great fervourby all, and participation in Eid, Diwali, Holi, and other local celebrations cuts across communities.

Temples and mosques stand side by side, symbolizing the peaceful coexistence and mutual respect of the village. Common village events and gatherings are common, and elders often narrate stories of their ancestors' unity, reinforcing the importance of living harmoniously.

Mazar, Maulana Manazir Ahsan Gilani

Gilani has produced many distinguished personalities - scholars, government officials, engineers, doctors, and writers.

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The village may be small in size, but its influence goes far beyond its borders. Many of Gilani's residents have distinguished themselves in their fields not only across India but also abroad, where they proudly carry their unique surname. Their success stories inspire the youth of Gilani to strive for excellence while staying grounded in their heritage.

Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and history. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia